Mrs. Ora Hash Thomas

Mrs. Ora Hash Thomas of Thomas Farms Road, Stuart, Virginia, died Thursday, October 1, 2009 surrounded by loved ones in the Blue Ridge Nursing Center at the age of 97. She was born August 18, 1912 in Endicott, Virginia, a daughter of the late James Goode Lane Hash and Nannie Ruth Snead Hash. She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Noah, Abram, Chester, Lester, Noel and Amos; two sisters, Sally and Virginia; one son, W. Paul Thomas; and husband, A. Maurice Thomas.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by two sisters, Gustava Sutphin of Silver Springs, Maryland and Ruth Jones of Rocky Mount; one brother, Dr. John and Mrs. Mary Ann Hash of Nashville, Tennessee; and sister-in-law, Mrs. Geogene Hash of Dublin. She is also survived by her children, Elaine and Willie Belcher of Woolwine, Ilene and Jack Spencer of Madison, Alabama, Nancy and David Henley of Roanoke; a daughter-in-law, Judy Thomas of Stuart; five grandchildren, Dean and Diane Belcher, Roger and Susan Spencer, Ron and Sharon Spencer, Sally and Brian Jenkin and John Paul and Kelly Thomas; seven great grandchildren, Amanda, Rachel and Samuel Belcher, Gregory and Hayden Spencer, Laura and Stephen Spencer; and one great-great-grandson, Jaxon Dean Frederic, who was born on her birthday. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces and her caregivers, Mrs. Linda Lawson and Mrs. Darnell Craig. She was blessed to have many caregivers during the years that she became very fond of and they were family to her.
Mrs. Thomas, an alumnus of Radford University, taught school for 29 years. She was a member of the Fairystone Fire Department Auxiliary, and Patrick County Retired Teachers Association. Following her retirement, she traveled extensively, enjoying each new experience to the fullest. She always had a garden, and many, many beautiful flowers. She was quilter and loved to crochet, making afghans for her children and grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jim Churchwell and Brother Lowell Hopkins officiating. Burial will follow in the County Line Cemetery in Floyd. Family will receive friends at the funeral home two hours prior to the service, and at other times at the home of her daughter, Elaine T. Belcher, 86 Charity Hwy., Woolwine, Virginia 24185. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Smith River Rescue Squad, c/o C. Harris, P.O. Box 122, Woolwine, Virginia 24185. Online condolences may be sent to by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.